UPDATE: Atlanta Meth Lab Seized in "Historic" Raid

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Photos: Atlanta Police Department

UPDATE (4:16 p.m.): Atlanta police say they took millions of dollars of meth off the street Wednesday, executing the largest meth raid in the city’s history on two southwest Atlanta homes.

According to spokeswoman Elizabeth Espy, Atlanta Police Narcotics Team 3 and the DEA Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team (CLET), supported by HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), simultaneously raided homes at 2318 and 2330 Nelms Drive and discovered a huge drug operation.

The home at 2318 Nelms Drive was a fully operational methamphetamine conversion lab, while the home at 2330 Nelms Drive was used for further refinement and production of the product. All told, authorities seized 41 pounds of crystal meth and 50 gallons of liquid meth, which would have been converted into roughly 250 pounds of crystal. Police also seized more than $35,000 in cash, three vehicles, and a 9mm handgun.

The street value of the meth is estimated at $10.8 million, police said.

Armando Ayala was arrested by police during the raid and taken to the Fulton County jail. Ayala faces charges of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

“Through focused investigations and hours of hard work by law enforcement, we were able to disrupt a major meth operation that will prevent dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,” said Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations Darryl Tolleson.

ORIGINAL STORY: Atlanta police busted a large and complex methamphetamine operation on Wednesday.

According to WSB-TV, the suspects used two houses on Nelms Drive; one house contained the million-dollar meth lab, while the other house was the processing and distribution facility. One person was arrested during the initial raid.

Police are looking to arrest additional suspects, WSB-TV said.

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